ORANGE COUNTY SOUTHERN SECTION FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS / DESERT-MOUNTAIN CONFERENCE : Orange Can’t Rally This Time as Harvard Advances With Win

Orange High School’s season came to an end Friday evening in its second-round Desert-Mountain playoff game in Fred Kelly Stadium at Orange as the Panthers lost to Harvard, 21-10.

The Panthers (7-5), who came from behind in the fourth quarter last week against Norte Vista, couldn’t rally this time as the Saracens’ secondary kept Orange quarterback Mike Stock from throwing deep.

“Harvard is disciplined,� Panther Coach Mark McMahon said. “They play a strong defense, where they physically outmanned us tonight.�

Orange built a 10-point lead in the first quarter before Harvard’s defense took over. On the Panthers’ first possession, junior running back Paul Maund scored on a 13-yard run. Victor Sparza added a 39-yard field goal with 30 seconds left in the quarter.

But the second quarter belonged to Harvard (11-1) as quarterback Mike Patterson and tailback Andy Bell ran the option to perfection. Patterson scored on a one-yard run and late in the same quarter connected with wide receiver Andy Sikking on a 12-yard slant pattern to put Harvard ahead for good, 13-10.

The second half was all Harvard. On its first possession Patterson kept on the option and ran 32 yards for a score to give Harvard a 21-10 lead.

Stock completed 7 of 21 passes for 137 yards and had 2 interceptions. Maund rushed for 93 yards in 20 carries. Harvard outgained the Panthers 349-295.